Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY MEETING JANUARY 11, 2018 MINUTES The Special Meeting of the Common Council of the City of Middletown was held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilman Robert Blanchard Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski Councilman Grady L. Faulkner, Jr. Councilwoman Linda Salafia Councilman Sebastian Giuliano Councilman Robert Santangelo Also Present: Common Council Clerk, Linda S.K. Reed, Sargent-at-Arms, Officer Haddad Absent: Mayor Daniel T. Drew, Corporation Counsel Daniel B. Ryan, Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta, Councilman Carl Chisem, Councilman Gerald Daley, Councilman Eugene Nocera, Councilman Philip Pessina, and Councilman Thomas Serra Members of the Public: 7 1. Call to Order Deputy Mayor Robert Santangelo calls the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Clerk reads the Call of the Meeting and Deputy Mayor Santangelo declares a legal call and meeting a legal meeting. 2. Public Comment Opens Deputy Mayor Santangelo opens the public comment session at 7:06 p.m. He recognizes William Prevatte. Mr. Prevatte, Hotchkiss Street, reads the following statement to honor various police officers throughout the country, who have been killed in the line of duty. Sunday December 17th, 2017 William M. Prevatte- Supporter Remarks for Community Council Meeting th Thursday January 11 , 2018 Speaking on behalf of Detective Miosotis Familia- NYPD 46th precinct Ladies and Gentlemen of the State of Connecticut and the city of Middletown Connecticut and members of the Middletown City Council, It is my distinct privilege and honor to speak before you all tonight. Our city has touched our nation. Miosotis Familia was a police officer with the NYPD in the 46th precinct in the Bronx in New York. Officer Familia was taken from us in the line of duty. While in a command vehicle. While on duty and in uniform. Officer Miosotis Familia was a mother of three kids. To the men and women of the New York City Police Department. You guys have my profound condolences and you guys will be in my constant thoughts and prayers. At this time. And also my condolences are with the executive staff at One Police Plaza in New York. And with Commissioner James P O’Neill. Police officers like Miosotis Familia wanted to help change the way people live and how they feel about the Police. And I care about the police and I care about them very much. And to the men and women of the NYPD who put on that uniform every day and they do it takes courage. Police officers with the NYPD show amazing strength you people aren’t only great cops but you guys are also great human beings. And to the family of Detective Familia I give you guys my most profound condolences on behalf of a great lady and mother and most of all a police officer with the New York City Police Department. I couldn’t be more proud of our cops. Police officers put their lives on the line to protect the people of this great city and country. And to the men and women of the NYPD I couldn’t be more proud and thankful to Miosotis and all the other police officers with the New York City Police Department who were killed in the line of duty while protecting the people of this city and our nation’s children. January 11, 2018 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL – COMMUNITY MEETING PAGE 2 And it is my distinct privilege and honor to help honor those officers with the NYPD who were taken from us in the line of duty. And it’s my distinct privilege to honor the sacrifices done by officers who are still currently serving with the New York City Police Department: 1. Detective Brian Moore –NYPD Anti-Crime Unit – 105th Precinct. 2. Officer Randolph Holder-NYPD 3. Detective Raphael Ramos –NYPD. 4. Detective Wen Jian Liu – NYPD 5. Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo-NYPD 43rd Precinct And the officers with the New York City Police Department being mentioned in these remarks are being honored because of their selfless acts to the people of this great city and great country. Here is an article published in the Middletown Press on the service done by Detective Familia. Article below: Letter: Condolences to New York City officer killed in line of duty Published 1:03 pm, Monday, July 17, 2017 To the Editor: I’d like to say a few words about the New York City police officer who was killed in the line of duty July 5. Officer Miosotis Familia was a female officer, 12-year veteran of the force and mother of three kids. When it happened, she was sitting in the patrol vehicle writing in a notebook. My condolences go to the family of Miosotis Familia. At her funeral, she was promoted to the rank of detective. My heart goes out to the New York Police Department and James P. O’Neill, commissioner of the New York City Police Department. William M. Prevatte, Middletown And to the men and women of the New York City Police Department put their lives on the line every day and they do that takes courage. Any other police officer with the New York City Police Department. We are lucky to have had Detective Miosotis Familia with the New York City Police Department. The officers belong with the NYPD. And I would like to say some words on behalf of the NYPD- Commissioner James P. O’Neill Mr. Commissioner O’Neill and to the executive staff at One Police Plaza- I am here for you guys more than ever. You guys will never be alone and you won’t ever stand alone. Because you guys are going through a hard time and I will get you guys through this time. And Miosotis Familia was a great cop in the history of the New York City Police Department. And I couldn’t be more proud of the service done by Detective Familia and the entire police officers with the New York City Police Department. And I also would like to credit the attempts of the partner that rode with Detective Familia that day she was taken from us in the line of duty. And radioed for assistance on that day. I will support our local police and the men and women of the New York City Police Department who lost a great officer and family woman, who joined the NYPD to help people in her community and our nation’s great city. And to the men and women of the 46th precinct in the Bronx, officers and bosses of the NYPD- 46th Precinct- Bronx: January 11, 2018 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL – COMMUNITY MEETING PAGE 3 Detective Miosotis Familia- was a police officer who cared about helping people in her community and through community policing. And my heart is with you guys and thy entire New York City Police Department and her family and her NYPD family. And the legacy of Detective Familia will always continue to live on in life and the lives of other New York City police officers who served the New York City Police Department. With pride and dignity just like any other New York City Police officer who puts on that uniform and that shield. To help protect the people of this great city and this great country. And I would like to thank Detective Familia for her powerful example said James P. O’Neill Police Commissioner, NYPD, “New York City Police Department.” I couldn’t be more proud of our cops with the NYPD, who swear an oath to swear to protect the people and strangers of our nation’s great city and country. And Detective Miosotis Familia was a cop a Bronx cop who served the people of this nation and country. I will continue to support our police said Commissioner James O’Neill. We will come together to give thanks to the men and the women of the New York City Police Department who worked with Detective Familia. And also will also honor the lives of past police officers with the New York City Police Department. Who were taken from us in the line of duty protecting the people of this great city and this great country. “Police work isn’t easy” said police officer and K-9 Handler William Maio of the Middletown Police Department K-9 Unit, Middletown Connecticut. And to the New York City Police Department. I am paying tribute to the line of duty death of Miosotis Familia who was promoted to Detective First Grade. And all the fallen police officers with the New York City Police Department. To the executive staff at One Police Plaza in New York: I would like to say that Commissioner James O’Neill, NYPD made the honorable and life changing choice to promote Miosotis Familia to Detective First Grade. And Detective Familia turned her job and helping people of our great nation and country and community policing into drive to save lives make things better. We will come together again to pay tribute to our nation’s great police officers their legacies will continue to live on in their lives forever and ever always. And I also would like to give thanks to our nation’s heroes the real heroes are our nation’s police officers with the New York City Police Department, who took an oath to protect the people of this great city and country. And like I previously stated we will continue to come together to pay tribute to our brother and sister police officers and their legacies will live on in their proud and honorable lives. And police officers with the New York City Police Department also deserves recognition for their service and selfless actions and lifesaving efforts part of their jobs as police officers. And enclosed in my remarks is a statement on behalf of police officers. With both the Middletown Police Department and the New York City Police Department. To sworn men and women officers with the Middletown Police Department. I would like to say a few words on behalf of the sacrifices made by our nation's greatest heroes the real heroes are the men and women officers with the Middletown Police Department and the men and women officers with the New York City Police Department. Miosotis Familia was a 12 year veteran of the New York City Police Department and a mother of three kids. Violence against our Police officers cannot stand and the Officers of the New York City Police Department, who put on the uniform every day and they do. It takes courage. And Police Officer Miosotis Familia was promoted to Detective 1st Grade by James P. O'Neill Police Commissioner New York City Police Department. Police officers with the NYPD. Often put their lives on the line to protect the people of this great city and this great country. And Detective Miosotis Familia protected our nation's great children. And the people of this fine city and county and to the entire New York City Police Department who will forever continue their most important work. And we will continue to come together to honor brother and sister officers with the New York City Police Department. And to the men and women officers with the New York City Police Department. Miosotis Familia was one of our nation's great protector and one of our nation's great heroes. In the history of the NYPD. And also in the history of our great nation and country. And to the men and women of the 46th Precinct in the Bronx: Never forget the reason why you chose to become a police officer. Be proud of who you are and what you do on the streets every day. We are here to help. God bless Miosotis, God bless her family God bless every member of the New York City Police Department, who will continue their life saving work. Thank you.  January 11, 2018 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL – COMMUNITY MEETING PAGE 4 Deputy Mayor Santangelo thanks Mr. Prevatte for his comments, adding that we all respect police. Deputy Mayor Santangelo recognizes Kaylie Vinnie. Kaylie Vinnie introduces herself and four (4) other members of the World Mission Church of God, which is located In Middletown. She explains that there are many locations worldwide in over 175 countries. She explains that the Church branched out from their original home in the City of Meriden and moved to Middletown. She states that the Church has volunteers throughout the community. She notes that people throughout the City are excited about the skating rink project. Ms. Vinnie explains that the Church members do volunteer work in Middleton. She presents each Councilmember with a spiral bound book, listing the Church’s local activities in Middletown and in neighboring communities. These activities include:  Special Olympics in Windsor and New Haven;  work at Veterans’ Park, including watering trees and site cleanup with Brian Young of the City’s Parks Department;  clearing hidden trash in the woods, which are visible to nearby streets;  visiting residents at One McDonough Place to share music, dancing, and skits;  assisting with recent hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico related to Hurricane Maria by conducting a disaster relief drive for needed items at various work locations and collected 5,000 lbs. of goods;  blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross;  a local teacher appreciation dinner with inspiring songs and performances;  leaf cleaning service for the elderly; and  other work with Mayor Drew to help seniors. Ms. Vinnie states that elderly residents are especially grateful and many are lonely, so volunteers offer comfort. Ms. Vinnie the Church has 7,000 locations worldwide. She notes that, in 2016, the Church was received the Queen's Award as well as a service award from President Obama and a recognition award from the United Nations for disaster relief efforts. She states that they are before the Council to highlight their commitment to volunteer service wherever they live or work. They are committed to conducting volunteer events. Moving forward, she states they would like to partner with the City to help neighbors in the community. They are before the Common Council looking for guidance relative to any problems and issues that arise within community. She expresses the group’s willingness to offer a helping hand to neighbors, adding that the Church works with Common Councils in the Tri-State area. She notes that the local common council generally knows priorities of their community. She reiterates that they want to have positive impact and are looking to actively volunteer with Mayor and Common Council. She states that the group appreciates the Councilmembers’ service, adding that if this Council would like to work with them, or suggest departments with whom they may work, the Church is just down the street. Deputy Mayor Santangelo thanks them for their presentation. Councilwoman Kleckowski states that the City recently increased the fines for snow removal of sidewalks, so some people need help having sidewalks shoveled. She adds that people are getting high fines if they cannot shovel. She notes that seniors have already reached out for driveway cleaning. Given the high fine for not cleaning sidewalks, she notes that it would be good to have help. She suggests that the Church group contact the recreation department to help identify people who are older and need help or who work and cannot clear the sidewalks. Councilman Giuliano states that the sidewalk issue is significant in the McDonough School neighborhood. He notes that the City administration knows where sidewalks are not cleaned and where kids walk to school in the street. He states that, in this area, all the students walk to school, reiterating that, if not shoveled, they walk in the road. Deputy Mayor Santangelo states that he lives in the neighborhood and walks in the road, adding that this topic is of great import with no ready solution. He states that this Church volunteer group is wonderful. th Councilman Grady Faulkner states that youth services meets on January 16 at Hunting Hill Avenue, adding that the City’s young people have few places to go after school, so the group might possibly help the City’s youth. He asks the group when they hold services. Ms. Vinnie replies that Church services are held on Saturdays at 10am and 2pm. 3. Public Comment Closes There being no further discussion, Deputy Mayor Santangelo closes the public comment at 7:22 p.m.  January 11, 2018 SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL – COMMUNITY MEETING PAGE 5 4. Meeting adjourned Councilman Robert Blanchard moves to adjourn the meeting. Motion is seconded by Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski. The Chair calls for the vote. The vote is unanimous to approve with 6 aye votes by members present. The Chair states that the motion is approved and declares the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. ATTEST: LINDA S.K. REED, COMMON COUNCIL CLERK K: review/ minutes/ 18 January 11 -- Community Meeting Minutes – 11 Jan 2018